U.S. patent application number 15/811676 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-24 for pallet for carrying goods.
This patent application is currently assigned to SYSPAC SUPPLY CHAIN Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is SYSPAC SUPPLY CHAIN Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to WON SUN ERM.
Application Number | 20180141705 15/811676 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60327190 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180141705 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ERM; WON SUN |
May 24, 2018 |
PALLET FOR CARRYING GOODS
Abstract
A pallet for goods is provided. In detail, the pallet for goods
improves use persistence while enhancing durability or impact
resistance. Accordingly, the pallet for goods includes a pallet
body portion including a honeycomb member and a panel for covering
the honeycomb member, and an outer frame surrounding an external
portion of the pallet body portion.
Inventors: |
ERM; WON SUN; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SYSPAC SUPPLY CHAIN Co., Ltd. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
SYSPAC SUPPLY CHAIN Co.,
Ltd.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
60327190 |
Appl. No.: |
15/811676 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2519/00079
20130101; B65D 19/0075 20130101; B65D 2519/00303 20130101; B65D
2519/00975 20130101; B65D 2519/0096 20130101; B65D 2519/00572
20130101; B65D 2519/00273 20130101; B65D 2519/00402 20130101; B65D
2519/00044 20130101; B65D 2519/0094 20130101; B65D 2519/00203
20130101; B65D 2519/00019 20130101; B65D 2519/00208 20130101; B65D
2519/00323 20130101; B65D 2519/00338 20130101; B65D 2519/00034
20130101; B65D 2519/00587 20130101; B65D 2519/00293 20130101; B65D
2519/00502 20130101; B65D 2519/00711 20130101; B65D 19/06 20130101;
B65D 2519/00024 20130101; B65D 2519/00592 20130101; B65D 2519/00915
20130101; B65D 2519/00641 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 19/06 20060101
B65D019/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 18, 2016 |
KR |
10-2016-0154108 |
Nov 18, 2016 |
KR |
10-2016-0154148 |
Nov 18, 2016 |
KR |
10-2016-0154166 |
Apr 17, 2017 |
KR |
10-2017-0049306 |
Claims
1. A pallet for goods, comprising: a pallet body portion comprising
a honeycomb member and a panel for covering the honeycomb member;
an outer frame for surrounding an external portion of the pallet
body portion; and a supporting leg installed below the pallet body
portion, wherein the supporting leg comprises a unit supporting leg
with a cavity formed therein and a flange portion extending in a
lateral direction; wherein a coupling member connects the flange
portion and the outer frame; wherein the outer frame comprises an
edge frame coupled to an edge of the pallet body portion and a
corner connection portion for connecting the edge frame and another
adjacent edge frame and arranged at a corner portion of the pallet
body portion; wherein the edge frame comprises an external wall and
a lower accommodation groove provided inward compared with the
external wall to accommodate a box; wherein the corner connection
portion comprises an external wall of the corner connection
portion, continuously connected to the external wall of the edge
frame, and a lower accommodation groove of the corner connection
portion, continuously connected to the lower accommodation groove
of the edge frame; wherein the edge frame comprises a space portion
and a bottom wall of the space portion; and wherein the flange
portion is arranged below the outer frame and the coupling member
is coupled to the bottom wall of the space portion through the
flange portion and connects the supporting leg and the outer
frame.
2. The pallet for goods of claim 1, wherein the outer frame
comprises an insertion space into which an edge of the pallet body
portion is inserted and accommodated.
3. The pallet for goods of claim 2, wherein the insertion space is
formed by an upper extension and a lower extension that are
provided at upper and lower portions and accommodated on upper and
lower surfaces of the pallet body portion, respectively.
4. The pallet for goods of claim 1, wherein the the coupling member
connects the flange portion and the pallet body portion.
5. The pallet for goods of claim 1, wherein one supporting leg
comprises a plurality of unit supporting legs that is separated
from each other and a rib is formed in the cavity of the unit
supporting leg.
6. The pallet for goods of claim 1, wherein the edge frame further
comprises an internal wall spaced apart from the external wall, the
bottom wall provided on a lower surface of the lower accommodation
groove, and an inclination surface formed on the internal wall to
guide a box to the lower accommodation groove; and wherein the
lower accommodation groove is provided between the external wall
and the internal wall.
7. The pallet for goods of claim 6, wherein a first space portion,
a second space portion, and a separation rib for separating the
first and second space portions are provided in the internal wall;
and wherein the separation rib comprises a fixation portion to
which a coupling member coupled to a corner connection portion is
inserted and fixed.
8. The pallet for goods of claim 6, wherein the corner connection
portion further comprises an internal wall spaced apart from the
external wall, a protrusion coupled to the internal wall of the
edge frame, and an inclination surface formed on the internal wall
to guide a box to the lower accommodation groove; and wherein the
lower accommodation groove is provided between the external wall
and the internal wall.
9. The pallet for goods of claim 8, further comprising insertion
holes which are formed on the external wall and the internal wall,
respectively, and into which a coupling member for coupling the
corner connection portion and the edge frame is inserted; and
wherein a plurality of coupling members is installed at one corner
connection portion and has coupling paths that cross each
other.
10. The pallet for goods of claim 1, wherein the panel for covering
the honeycomb member comprises: an upper panel for covering an
upper surface of the honeycomb member and comprising a through hole
formed to correspond to a location of the cavity of the supporting
leg; and, a lower panel for covering a lower surface of the
honeycomb member and comprising a through hole formed to correspond
to the location of the cavity of the supporting leg.
11. The pallet for goods of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
supporting legs are provided below the pallet body portion; wherein
the pallet body portion comprises a through hole formed therein;
and wherein the cavity provided in the supporting leg is opened
upward through the through hole.
12. The pallet for goods of claim 11, wherein the pallet body
portion comprises a through hole formed therein; and wherein an
upper portion of the supporting leg extends upward compared with
the flange portion and is inserted into the through hole.
13. The pallet for goods of claim 10, further comprising a fixation
member that is arranged around the through hole of the honeycomb
member and to which a coupling member is inserted and fixed;
wherein the fixation member is installed on the honeycomb member
and the upper panel and the lower panel cover the fixation member
and the honeycomb member; and wherein the coupling member is
inserted into and connects the flange portion, the lower panel, and
the fixation member.
14. The pallet for goods of claim 13, wherein the fixation member
is shaped like a block to be inserted into separation spaces
included in the honeycomb member.
15. The pallet for goods of claim 13, wherein the fixation member
is arranged as a continuous structure to be inserted into and fixed
to a through hole of the honeycomb member along an internal edge of
the through hole.
16. The pallet for goods of claim 1, wherein some of the plurality
of supporting legs are coupled to the outer frame.
17. The pallet for goods of claim 16, wherein the flange portion of
the supporting leg coupled to the outer frame is coupled to an
internal wall of the outer frame by a coupling member.
18. A pallet for goods comprising a corner bracket, comprising: a
pallet body portion; and an outer frame for surrounding an external
portion of the pallet body portion, wherein the outer frame
includes an edge frame and a corner connection portion for
connecting the edge frame and another adjacent edge frame and
arranged at a corner portion between the edge frame and the another
adjacent edge frame; wherein the edge frame and the corner
connection portion are continuously connected via surface to
surface contact; wherein the edge frame comprises an external wall
and a lower accommodation groove provided inward compared with the
external wall to accommodate a box; and wherein the corner
connection portion comprises an external wall of the corner
connection portion, which is continuously connected to the external
wall of the edge frame, and a lower accommodation groove of the
corner connection portion, which is continuously connected to the
lower accommodation groove of the edge frame.
19. The pallet for goods of claim 18, wherein the corner bracket
further comprises: an internal wall spaced apart from the external
wall; a lower accommodation groove provided between the external
wall and the internal wall; an external insertion hole provided in
the external wall and an internal insertion hole, with a coupling
member being inserted thereinto and passing therethrough; and a
protrusion provided on the internal wall to be inserted into an
adjacent opposite structure.
20. The pallet for goods of claim 19, further comprising an
insertion guidance channel provided between the external insertion
hole and the internal insertion hole and arranged on a bottom wall
of a lower accommodation groove.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2016-0154108, filed on Nov. 18, 2016, Korean
Patent Application No. 10-2016-0154148, filed on Nov. 18, 2016,
Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0154166, filed on Nov. 18,
2016, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0049306, filed on
Apr. 17, 2017, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present
disclosure relate to a pallet for goods, and more particularly, to
a pallet for goods, having improved use persistence while having
enhanced durability or impact resistance.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] In general, a box assembly for carrying goods is formed in
such a way that a lower portion of a box is coupled to a support
member of a pallet, etc. to be carried by a forklift, etc. The
general box assembly for carrying goods is configured in such a way
that a box and a pallet are integrally configured or are maintained
in the form of a box and, thus, there is a problem in that the
assembly takes up substantial space due to a large volume while
being stored or moved, e.g., returning.
[0004] To overcome this problem, Korean Patent No. 10-1591857
discloses a foldable box assembly pallet system including pallet
systems formed by attaching, to pallets, upper and lower portions
of foldable box assemblies that are folded to reduce a volume
thereof while being stored or moved, e.g., returning and, here, the
pallet systems are stacked and, then, a fork of a forklift, etc. as
a transport device is inserted between the pallets and is
transferred, and the pallets are overlapped on each other and the
box assemblies are folded, stacked, and returned after transport is
completed.
[0005] In Korean Patent No. 10-1591857, generally, a pallet or an
upper cover is integrally formed via injection molding using
polypropylene (PP).
[0006] However, the integrally formed pallet or cover formed of
such a resin material has a problem in that the pallet or the cover
is frequently damaged when dropped on the floor or upon collision
with a fork of a forklift or another pallet/cover.
[0007] That is, the pallet or the cover frequently cracks along an
edge thereof or support legs frequently break.
[0008] In particular, there is a problem in that a damage frequency
is very high at a low temperature, like in winter and, in the case
of an integrally formed pallet or cover, even if they are partially
damaged, the pallet or the cover needs to be entirely replaced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure overcome the
above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above.
Also, the present disclosure is not required to overcome the
disadvantages described above, and an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure may not overcome any of the problems described
above.
[0010] The present disclosure provides a pallet for goods, for
enhancing durability and impact resistance.
[0011] The present disclosure also provides a pallet for goods, for
allowing only a corresponding region to be replaced even if only a
region breaks
[0012] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a pallet
for goods includes a pallet body portion including a honeycomb
member and a panel for covering the honeycomb member, an outer
frame for surrounding an external portion of the pallet body
portion, and a supporting leg installed below the pallet body
portion, wherein the supporting leg includes a unit supporting leg
with a cavity formed therein and a flange portion extending in a
lateral direction, wherein a coupling member connects the flange
portion and the outer frame, wherein the outer frame includes an
edge frame coupled to an edge of the pallet body portion and a
corner connection portion for connecting the edge frame and another
adjacent edge frame and arranged at a corner portion of the pallet
body portion, wherein the edge frame includes an external wall and
a lower accommodation groove provided inward compared with the
external wall to accommodate a box, wherein the corner connection
portion includes an external wall of the corner connection portion,
continuously connected to the external wall of the edge frame, and
a lower accommodation groove of the corner connection portion,
continuously connected to the lower accommodation groove of the
edge frame, wherein the edge frame includes a space portion and a
bottom wall of the space portion, and wherein the flange portion is
arranged below the outer frame and the coupling member is coupled
to the bottom wall of the space portion through the flange portion
and connects the supporting leg and the outer frame.
[0013] The outer frame may include an insertion space into which an
edge of the pallet body portion is inserted and accommodated.
[0014] The insertion space may be formed by an upper extension and
a lower extension that are provided at upper and lower portions and
accommodated on upper and lower surfaces of the pallet body
portion, respectively.
[0015] One supporting leg may include a plurality of unit
supporting legs that is separated from each other and a rib may be
formed in the cavity of the unit supporting leg.
[0016] The edge frame may further include an internal wall spaced
apart from the external wall, the bottom wall provided on a lower
surface of the lower accommodation groove, and an inclination
surface formed on the internal wall to guide a box to the lower
accommodation groove, and the lower accommodation groove may be
provided between the external wall and the internal wall.
[0017] A first space portion, a second space portion, and a
separation rib for separating the first and second space portions
may be provided in the internal wall; and the separation rib may
include a fixation portion to which a coupling member coupled to a
corner connection portion is inserted and fixed.
[0018] The corner connection portion may further include an
internal wall spaced apart from the external wall, a protrusion
coupled to the internal wall of the edge frame, and an inclination
surface formed on the internal wall to guide a box to the lower
accommodation groove, and the lower accommodation groove may be
provided between the external wall and the internal wall.
[0019] The pallet for goods may further include insertion holes
which are formed on the external wall and the internal wall,
respectively, and into which a coupling member for coupling the
corner connection portion and the edge frame is inserted, and a
plurality of coupling members may be installed at one corner
connection portion and has coupling paths that cross each
other.
[0020] The panel for covering the honeycomb member may include an
upper panel for covering an upper surface of the honeycomb member
and including a through hole formed to correspond to a location of
the cavity of the supporting leg, and a lower panel for covering a
lower surface of the honeycomb member and including a through hole
formed to correspond to the location of the cavity of the
supporting leg.
[0021] The plurality of supporting legs may be provided below the
pallet body portion, wherein the pallet body portion may include a
through hole formed therein, and wherein the cavity provided in the
supporting leg may be opened upward through the through hole.
[0022] The pallet body portion may include a through hole formed
therein, and an upper portion of the supporting leg may extend
upward compared with the flange portion and is inserted into the
through hole.
[0023] The pallet for goods may further include a fixation member
that is arranged around the through hole of the honeycomb member
and to which a coupling member is inserted and fixed, the fixation
member may be installed on the honeycomb member and the upper panel
and the lower panel cover the fixation member and the honeycomb
member, and the coupling member may be inserted into and may
connect the flange portion, the lower panel, and the fixation
member.
[0024] The fixation member may be shaped like a block to be
inserted into separation spaces included in the honeycomb
member.
[0025] The fixation member may be arranged as a continuous
structure to be inserted into and fixed to a through hole of the
honeycomb member along an internal edge of the through hole.
[0026] Some of the plurality of supporting legs may be coupled to
the outer frame.
[0027] The flange portion of the supporting leg coupled to the
outer frame may be coupled to an internal wall of the outer frame
by a coupling member.
[0028] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a pallet
for goods including a corner bracket includes a pallet body
portion, and an outer frame for surrounding an external portion of
the pallet body portion, wherein the outer frame includes an edge
frame and a corner connection portion for connecting the edge frame
and another adjacent edge frame and arranged at a corner portion
between the edge frame and the another adjacent edge frame, wherein
the edge frame and the corner connection portion are continuously
connected via surface to surface contact, wherein the edge frame
includes an external wall and a lower accommodation groove provided
inward compared with the external wall to accommodate a box, and
wherein the corner connection portion includes an external wall of
the corner connection portion, which is continuously connected to
the external wall of the edge frame, and a lower accommodation
groove of the corner connection portion, which is continuously
connected to the lower accommodation groove of the edge frame.
[0029] The corner bracket may further include an internal wall
spaced apart from the external wall, a lower accommodation groove
provided between the external wall and the internal wall, an
external insertion hole provided in the external wall and an
internal insertion hole, with a coupling member being inserted
thereinto and passing therethrough, and a protrusion provided on
the internal wall to be inserted into an adjacent opposite
structure.
[0030] The pallet for goods may further include an insertion
guidance channel provided between the external insertion hole and
the internal insertion hole and arranged on a bottom wall of a
lower accommodation groove.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0031] The above and/or other aspects of the present disclosure
will be more apparent by describing certain exemplary embodiments
of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a box assembly for delivery,
viewed from above, according to the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a box assembly for delivery,
viewed from below, according to the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a box assembly for
delivery, according to the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a coupling
portion between a pallet and a box and a coupling portion of the
box in a box assembly for delivery in detail according to the
present invention;
[0036] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a state in which a corner
connection portion is coupled to the pallet according to the
present invention;
[0037] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a state in which a corner
connection portion is decoupled to the pallet according to the
present invention;
[0038] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a pallet according to a first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a pallet according to a second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a pallet according to a third
embodiment of the present invention;
[0041] FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views of an outer frame
used in a pallet according to the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 10C is a perspective view of a corner connection
portion used in a pallet according to the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 11A is a side view of a corner connection portion used
in a pallet according to the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 11B is a side view of an edge frame used in a pallet
according to the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a state in which a coupling
member is coupled to a corner connection portion used in a pallet
according to the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 13 is a planar cross-sectional view of a state in which
a coupling member is coupled to a corner connection portion used in
a pallet according to the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a supporting leg used in a
pallet according to the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 15 is a side view of a pallet according to the present
invention;
[0049] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a cover member
according to the present invention;
[0050] FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a cover member in
detail according to the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 18A is an exploded side view showing a state in which a
cover member is dissembled according to the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 18B is a side view of a coupling state of a cover
member according to the present invention;
[0053] FIGS. 19A and 19B are perspective views showing a state in
which pallets are stacked, according to the present invention;
[0054] FIGS. 20A and 20B are side views showing a state in which
pallets are stacked;
[0055] FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of a state in which
a box is folded in a box assembly for delivery according to the
present invention; and
[0056] FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a state in which a
plurality of box assemblies for delivery are stacked for package
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0057] As the invention allows for various changes and numerous
embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the
drawings and described in detail in the written description
[0058] However, this is not intended to limit the present invention
to particular modes of practice, and it is to be appreciated that
all changes, equivalents, and substitutes that do not depart from
the spirit and technical scope of the present invention are
encompassed in the present invention.
[0059] It will be understood that, although the terms first,
second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements,
these elements should not be limited by these terms.
[0060] These terms are only used to distinguish one element from
another element.
[0061] For example, a first element may be termed a second element
and a second element may be termed a first element without
departing from the teachings of the present invention.
[0062] As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all
combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0063] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as
being "on", "connected to" or "coupled to" another element, it may
be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or
intervening elements may be present.
[0064] In contrast, when an element is referred to as being
"directly on," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to"
another element or layer, there are no intervening elements
present.
[0065] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the present invention.
[0066] Singular expressions in the present specification include
the plural expressions unless clearly specified otherwise in
context.
[0067] Terms such as "include" or "comprise" may be construed to
denote a certain characteristic, number, step, operation,
constituent element, or a combination thereof, but may not be
construed to exclude the existence of or a possibility of addition
of one or more other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations,
constituent elements, or combinations thereof.
[0068] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in
detail by explaining exemplary embodiments of the invention with
reference to the attached drawings. The same reference numerals in
the drawings denote like elements, and a repeated explanation
thereof will not be given.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention
relates to a pallet for goods 100 (hereinafter referred to as the
`pallet`) and a box assembly 1 (hereinafter, referred to as the
`box assembly`) including the pallet 100.
[0070] The box assembly 1 may include a box 200 provided in a
foldable form, the pallet 100 arranged below the box 200, and a
cover member 300 installed on the box 200.
[0071] The cover member 300 may include a cover body portion 310
provided with a plate shape, an outer frame 320 that surrounds an
external portion of the cover body portion 310, and a supporting
leg support 350 installed on an upper surface of the cover body
portion 310.
[0072] When the box assemblies 1 are stacked as a plurality of
layers, a supporting leg 150 of the pallet 100 of the box assembly
1 at an uppermost layer may be inserted into the supporting leg
support 350 installed on the cover member 300 of the box assembly 1
at a lowermost layer to fix a position of the supporting leg
150.
[0073] The outer frame 320 of the cover member 300 may include edge
frames 3210 that are longitudinally arranged along an edge of the
cover body portion 310 and corner connection portions 3220 that are
arranged at intersection corner portions of the edge frames 3210
and connect the edge frames 3210 arranged to cross each other.
[0074] A detailed structure of the cover member 300 will be
described below.
[0075] The foldable type box 200 may be provided below the cover
member 300.
[0076] The box 200 may include a plurality of plate portions 210
and a plurality of frame portions 220 that surround an external
portion of the plate.
[0077] Here, the frame portion 220 may include horizontal frames
221 and vertical frames 222.
[0078] A foldable frame 230 may be installed between the vertical
frame 222 and the adjacent vertical frames 222 to fold the box
200.
[0079] A handle portion 240 may be provided on the plate portion
210 and, thus, a worker may grip the handle portion 240 and may
hold the box assembly 1.
[0080] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pallet 100 may be installed
below the box assembly 1.
[0081] A lower edge of the box 200 is accommodated in an
installation portion (not shown) installed on the pallet 100 and,
thus, the box 200 may be installed and fixed on the pallet 100.
[0082] As shown in FIG. 2, the pallet 100 may include a pallet body
portion 110, an outer frame 120 that surrounds an external portion
of the pallet body portion 110, and the supporting leg 150
installed on a lower surface of the pallet body portion 110.
[0083] The supporting leg 150 may include a plurality of support
legs that are spaced apart from each other on the lower surface of
the pallet body portion 110.
[0084] Although FIG. 2 illustrates the case in which nine
supporting legs are present, one leg is arranged in a central
portion, and eight legs are arranged at edge portions,
respectively, it would be understood that the number is changed
according to the size of the box assembly 1 or the pallet 100.
[0085] Each of the supporting legs 150 may include a plurality of
unit supporting legs 151 and a flange portion 152 that extends in
an outward direction thereof.
[0086] One supporting leg 150 may be divided into the plurality of
unit supporting legs 151 to distribute load and, even if one unit
supporting leg 151 breaks and is not capable of functioning, the
other intact unit supporting legs 151 may function as a
support.
[0087] Conventionally, a supporting leg is provided with a single
tube shape (a truncated quadrangular pyramid shape) and, thus, when
the supporting leg breaks and does not function as a support due to
shock, there is a problem in that a box assembly is crooked and is
entirely inclined.
[0088] As such, when any one of supporting legs breaks and is not
capable of functioning, an entire pallet needs to be replaced.
[0089] However, according to the present invention, the supporting
leg 150 may include the plurality of unit supporting leg 151 and,
thus, even if any one of the unit supporting legs 151 breaks, the
other unit supporting legs 151 may function as a support.
[0090] The supporting leg is divided into a plurality of legs and,
thus, load is appropriately distributed to support relatively heavy
goods compared with the conventional supporting leg provided with a
single tube shape.
[0091] In addition, the supporting leg 150 is coupled to the pallet
body portion 110 rather than being integrated with the pallet body
portion 110 and, thus, when one supporting leg 150 completely
breaks and does not function as a support, only the corresponding
portion may be advantageously replaced.
[0092] The supporting leg 150 may include the flange portion
152.
[0093] The flange portion 152 is a region with a coupling member
(not shown) coupled thereto when the supporting leg 150 and the
pallet body portion 110 are connected or the supporting leg 150 and
the outer frame 120 are connected.
[0094] Accordingly, the flange portion 152 may be provided to
surface-contact a lower surface of the pallet body portion 110 or a
lower surface of the outer frame 120.
[0095] An extension length of the flange portion 152 may be changed
according to a region of the pallet body portion 110, on which the
supporting leg 150 is installed.
[0096] For example, in the case of the supporting leg 150 (150a)
installed on the center of the pallet body portion 110, an
extension length of the flange portion 152 may be uniform in all
directions.
[0097] When the supporting leg 150 (150b) is positioned at a corner
region of the pallet body portion 110, an extension length of the
flange portion 152 in a direction toward two sides forming the
corresponding corner may be greater than an extension length of the
flange portion 152 in a direction toward other portions.
[0098] In addition, the flange portion 152 of the supporting leg
150 (150c) installed on an intermediate portion of an edge of the
pallet body portion 110 may extend with a relatively great length
in an outer edge direction, i.e., in one direction and may extend
with a relatively small length in the other three directions.
[0099] Ribs 1521 that are separated from each other may be formed
on a lower surface of the flange portion 152 and, in this regard,
the ribs 1521 may reduce a weight and ensure strength while
maintaining a thickness of the flange portion 152 to some
extent.
[0100] As shown in FIG. 3, the cover member 300, the box 200, and
the pallet 100 may be detachably provided.
[0101] An edge of a lower surface of the cover member 300 may be
accommodated in an edge of an upper surface of the box 200, and an
edge of a lower surface of the box 200 is accommodated in an edge
of an upper surface of the pallet 100 to complete assembly.
[0102] To this end, the outer frame 320 of the cover member 300 may
include upper accommodation grooves 3213 and 3223 (refer to FIG.
17) into which an upper edge of the box 200 is inserted and
accommodated and the outer frame 120 of the pallet 100 may also
include lower accommodation grooves 1213 and 1223 into which a
lower edge of the box 200 is inserted and accommodated.
[0103] The foldable frames 230 of the box 200 may be provided and
arranged at corners of the box 200 and front and rear portions of
the box 200 with respect to FIG. 3, respectively. The handle
portions 240 may be arranged at upper portions of opposite lateral
surfaces of the box 200.
[0104] The supporting leg supports 350 formed on an upper surface
of the cover member 300 may be arranged on a central portion,
corners, and intermediate portions of an edge of the cover body
portion 310, which may be changed according to the size of the box
assembly 1.
[0105] An uppermost surface of the pallet body portion 110 of the
pallet 100 may be formed in a planar shape, only portions of the
pallet body portion 110, at which the supporting leg 150 is
positioned, may be opened, and cavities 1511 in the supporting legs
may be viewed through the opened portions.
[0106] The cavities 1511 are exposed upward and, thus, the
plurality of pallets 100 may be accumulated and stacked.
[0107] The cavities 1511 may be formed in the unit supporting legs
151, respectively.
[0108] Coupling members (not shown) may be installed around the
supporting leg 150 to couple the supporting leg 150 and the pallet
body portion 110 and to couple the supporting leg 150 and the outer
frame 120.
[0109] The supporting legs 150 installed on the pallet 100 may be
arranged on a central portion, corners, and intermediate portions
of an edge of the pallet body portion 110, which is changed
according to the size of the box assembly 1.
[0110] Although the drawing illustrates a box assembly with a
square plane of, for example, 1140 mm.times.1140 mm, it would be
understood that a box assembly shaped like a square plane and a
rectangular plane with a small or large size is within the scope of
the present invention.
[0111] FIG. 4 is a detailed diagram of an exploded perspective view
shown in FIG. 3.
[0112] Here, the box 200 may include a plate portion 210 and a
frame 220 that surrounds the plate portion 210.
[0113] The frame 220 may be re-divided into the vertical frame 222
and the horizontal frame 221.
[0114] The foldable frame 230 may be provided between the vertical
frame 222 and the vertical frame 222 at a folded region of the box
200 and may connect neighboring vertical frames 222 coupled to the
plate portions 210.
[0115] As shown in a right enlarged circle of FIG. 4 in detail, the
foldable frame 230 that is arranged in a perpendicular direction
may be installed between the vertical frame 222 installed on the
left plate portion 210 and the vertical frame 222 installed on the
right plate portion 210.
[0116] A side end of the vertical frame 222 may be slidably coupled
to a side end of the foldable frame 230.
[0117] To this end, the side end of the vertical frame 222 and a
side end of the foldable frame 230 may be embodied as male and
female slide rails.
[0118] A left enlarged circle of FIG. 4 shows a state in which a
lower edge of the box 200 is inserted into and accommodated in the
lower accommodation grooves 1213 and 1223 provided in the outer
frame 120 of the pallet 100.
[0119] All of the upper accommodation grooves 3213 and 3223 (refer
to FIG. 17) of the cover member 300 or the lower accommodation
grooves 1213 and 1223 of the pallet 100 may be provided in the form
of a continuous groove along an edge and may be shaped to
correspond to the shape of the box 200.
[0120] That is, the lower accommodation grooves 1213 and 1223 and
the upper accommodation grooves 3213 and 3223 may form a continuous
closed loop along sides and corners of upper surfaces of the outer
frames 120 and 320.
[0121] As such, a box edge is inserted into and caught by the lower
accommodation grooves 1213 and 1223 and the upper accommodation
grooves 3213 and 3223 and, thus, the cover member 300 or the pallet
100 may be prevented from being separated from the box in a
horizontal direction.
[0122] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a state in which the pallet
100 is assembled.
[0123] As shown in FIG. 5, the outer frame 120 is installed at an
edge of the pallet body portion 110.
[0124] The outer frame 120 may include edge frames 121 installed at
sides of an edge of the pallet body portion 110 and a corner
connection portion 122 that is positioned at a corner portion of
the pallet 100 and connects the two edge frames 121 arranged to
cross each other.
[0125] A first boundary region 121a provided with an inclined shape
and a second boundary region 121b that is connected to the first
boundary region 121a and extends in an outward direction may be
provided at an end of the edge frames 121.
[0126] The first boundary regions 121a of the two edge frames 121
that are adjacent to each other and are perpendicularly arranged to
each other may contact and face each other.
[0127] The second boundary regions 121b of the two edge frames that
are adjacent to each other and are perpendicularly arranged to each
other may be spaced apart from each other and a corner space CS
(refer to FIG. 6) may be formed between the second boundary regions
121b.
[0128] As shown in FIG. 6, the corner connection portion 122 may be
positioned in the corner space CS.
[0129] The edge frame 121 may include a lower accommodation groove
1213, an external wall 1211 positioned outside the lower
accommodation groove 1213, an internal wall 1212 positioned inside
the lower accommodation groove 1213, and a bottom wall 1214
positioned below the lower accommodation groove 1213.
[0130] In addition, the corner connection portion 122 may also
include a lower accommodation groove 1223, an external wall 1221
positioned outside the lower accommodation groove 1223, an internal
wall 1222 positioned inside the lower accommodation groove 1223,
and a bottom wall 1224 positioned below the lower accommodation
groove 1223.
[0131] The corner connection portion 122 may connect the edge
frames 121 that are adjacent to each other.
[0132] Thereby, the lower accommodation groove 1213 of the edge
frame 121 and the lower accommodation groove 1223 of the corner
connection portion 122 may be connected to each other, the internal
wall 1212 of the edge frame 121 and the internal wall 1222 of the
corner connection portion 122 may be connected to each other, and
the external wall 1211 of the edge frame 121 and the internal wall
1222 of the corner connection portion 122 may be connected to each
other.
[0133] Accordingly, the box 200 may be stably accommodated in the
lower accommodation groove 1213 of the edge frame 121 and the lower
accommodation groove 1223 of the corner connection portion 122.
[0134] Space portions 1221a, 1222a, and 1222b may be formed in each
of the internal wall 1222 and the external wall 1221 of the edge
frame 121 and a protrusion 1225 may be provided on the corner
connection portion 122.
[0135] Accordingly, when the corner connection portion 122 is
positioned in the corner space CS, the protrusion 1225 may be
inserted into the space portions 1221a, 1222a, and 1222b of the
internal wall 1212 and the external wall 1211 of the edge frame
121.
[0136] Although not shown, a space portion may be formed in the
corner connection portion 122 and a protrusion may be formed on the
edge frame 121 or vice versa.
[0137] As such, in a state in which the edge frame 121 and the
corner connection portion 122 are coupled, a coupling member 123
may be inserted in a direction toward the corner connection portion
122 and, then, is deeply inserted and is coupled in a direction
toward the edge frame 121.
[0138] Thereby, the edge frame 121 and the corner connection
portion 122 may be fixed to each other.
[0139] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an uppermost surface of the
pallet 100 may be formed in a planar shape and only a portion of
the pallet 100, at which the supporting leg 150 is installed, may
be exposed through upper portions of the cavities 1511.
[0140] Here, an area ratio of the cavities 1511 may be small
compared with an entire area of a pallet.
[0141] Accordingly, the possibility that most goods enter the
cavities 1511 may be low and most goods may be stably positioned.
In addition, the cavities 1511 are separated in equal number to the
number of the unit supporting legs 151 and, thus, an area of an
entrance is small compared with a cavity of a supporting leg
provided with a single tube shape according to the related art.
[0142] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the pallet 100 according to a
first embodiment of the present invention.
[0143] The pallet 100 may largely include the pallet body portion
110, the outer frame 120, and the supporting leg 150. For clear
illustration, the supporting leg 150 and the coupling member 123
(refer to FIG. 6) for coupling the supporting leg 150 are omitted
from the drawing.
[0144] According to the first embodiment of the pallet 100 shown in
FIG. 7, the pallet body portion 110 may include a honeycomb member
111 at a central portion thereof, and an upper surface panel 112
and a lower surface panel 113 that are positioned on an upper
surface and a lower surface of the honeycomb member 111 to cover
the upper and lower surfaces.
[0145] The honeycomb member 111 may include a plurality of barrier
ribs shaped like a honeycomb and spaces separated thereby and may
be a member that is capable of withstanding upper and lower impacts
or load.
[0146] The honeycomb member 111 may be formed of paper impregnated
with aluminum, plastic, or resin but is not limited thereto.
[0147] The upper surface panel 112 and the lower surface panel 113
may be formed of a metallic plate, a plastic plate, or the like
without being limited thereto.
[0148] A first through hole 111a may be formed in a portion of the
honeycomb member 111, on which a supporting leg is installed, to
expose the cavities 1511 (refer to FIG. 5) of the supporting leg
150 (refer to FIG. 5) through the first through hole 111a.
[0149] Objects corresponding to shapes of spaces divided from the
honeycomb member 111 may be inserted and fixed around the first
through hole 111a.
[0150] The upper surface panel 112, the honeycomb member 111, and
the lower surface panel 113 may be coupled to form the pallet body
portion 110, the outer frame 120 may be installed outside the
pallet body portion 110 and, then, the coupling member 163 (refer
to FIG. 15) for fixing the supporting leg 150 (refer to FIG. 5) to
the pallet body portion 110 and the outer frame 120 may be
required.
[0151] The coupling member 163 (refer to FIG. 15) may include a
screw, a rivet, or the like and objects corresponding to shapes of
spaces divided from the honeycomb member 111 may be inserted and
fixed around the first through hole 111a to be coupled to the
coupling member 163 and to function as a nut or a support.
[0152] This may be defined as a fixation member 170a.
[0153] When spaces divided from the honeycomb member 111 are shaped
like a hexagon, the fixation member 170a may have a hexagonal
shape. However, the fixation member 170a may be provided with other
shapes.
[0154] Through holes 111a, 112a, and 113a may be installed to be
spaced apart from each other in central portions and edge portions
of the honeycomb member 111, the upper surface panel 112, and the
lower surface panel 113.
[0155] For convenience of description, the through hole formed in
the honeycomb member 111 is defined as the first through hole 111a,
the through hole formed in the upper surface panel 112 is defined
as the second through hole 112a, and the through hole formed in the
lower surface panel 113 is defined as the third through hole
113a.
[0156] A fixation member 170a according to the first embodiment may
be arranged around the first through hole 111a.
[0157] For example, a minimum of four fixation members 170a may be
arranged along four sides of the first through hole 111a around the
first through hole 111a at a central portion and a minimum of two
fixation members 170a may be arranged along two internal sides of
the first through hole 111a around the first through hole 111a at a
corner portion.
[0158] In addition, a minimum of three fixation members 170a may be
arranged along three internal sides of the first through hole 111a
around the first through hole 111a at an intermediate portion of an
outer edge of the honeycomb member 111.
[0159] A coupling guidance hole 113b may be formed around the third
through hole 113a of the lower surface panel 113 to allow the
coupling member 163 (refer to FIG. 15) to pass through the coupling
guidance hole 113b.
[0160] The fixation member 170a may not be installed at two
external sides around the first through hole 111a at a corner
portion and an external side of the first through hole 111a at an
intermediate portion of an outer edge of the honeycomb member
111.
[0161] In this case, the coupling member 163 may be coupled
directly to the outer frame 120.
[0162] Although described below, an insertion space 1215 into which
an outer edge of the honeycomb member 111 is inserted may be formed
in the edge frame 121 included in the outer frame 120.
[0163] The insertion space 1215 may be formed by the internal wall
1212, an upper extension 1215a that extends in an inward direction
(in a direction toward an edge of a honeycomb member) from an upper
surface of the internal wall 1212, and a lower extension 1215b that
extends in an inward direction (in a direction toward an edge of a
honeycomb member) from a lower surface of the internal wall
1212.
[0164] Accordingly, an outer edge of the honeycomb member 111 may
be inserted into and fixed to the insertion space 1215.
[0165] In this state, the corner connection portion 122 may be
arranged in an intersection direction and arranged in a corner
space between the two adjacent edge frames 121 to connect the two
edge frames 121.
[0166] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the pallet 100 according to a
second embodiment of the present invention.
[0167] The first embodiment shown in FIG. 7 and the second
embodiment shown in FIG. 8 are different from each other in that
each fixation member 170a is configured in a small block form to
correspond to a divided space of the honeycomb member 111 according
to the first embodiment but the fixation members 170a are
continuously arranged at an edge of a first through hole 111b
according to the second embodiment.
[0168] However, a configuration of a fixation member opposite to an
outer edge of the honeycomb member 111 may be omitted because the
coupling member 163 (refer to FIG. 15) is coupled directly to the
outer frame 120.
[0169] For example, the ``-shaped fixation member 170b may be
installed around the first through hole 111b at a center.
[0170] The `` or ``-shaped fixation member 170b may be installed at
four corner portions. In addition, the ``-shaped fixation member
170b may be installed at four intermediate portions of an outer
edge.
[0171] Except for the above description, the second embodiment is
the same as the first embodiment and, thus, a repeated description
will be not given here.
[0172] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the pallet 100 according to a
third embodiment of the present invention.
[0173] The first embodiment shown in FIG. 7 and the second
embodiment shown in FIG. 8 are different from the third embodiment
shown in FIG. 9 in that all fixation members 170c are ``-shaped and
are arranged around first through holes 111c, respectively.
[0174] In this case, all the fixation members 170c are manufactured
in the same shape to reduce manufacturing costs compared with in
the second embodiment.
[0175] To this end, the honeycomb member 111 may be provided with a
`#`-shape.
[0176] Except for the first through hole 111c at a center, the
first through holes 111c at corner portions and the first through
holes 111c at intermediate portions of an edge may be opened in an
outer direction.
[0177] When the fixation members 170c are installed on the
honeycomb member 111 and the outer frame 120 is coupled, portions
of the fixation members 170c at an edge of the honeycomb member 111
(which is an edge portion at which a fixation member is not
installed) and corners and an intermediate portion of an edge of
the honeycomb member 111 may be inserted and fixed to the insertion
space 1215 of the outer frame 120.
[0178] Except for the above description, the third embodiment is
the same as the first and second embodiments and, thus, a repeated
description will be not given here.
[0179] FIGS. 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a configuration of the
outer frame 120.
[0180] FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a state in which the
edge frame 121 and the corner connection portion 122 are coupled in
the outer frame 120.
[0181] In a state in which the edge frame 121 and the corner
connection portion 122 are coupled, the edge frames 121 and the
corner connection portion 122 may be continuously connected via
surface to surface contact.
[0182] That is, the lower accommodation groove 1213 of the edge
frames 121 and the lower accommodation groove 1223 of the corner
connection portion 122 are continuously connected, the external
wall 1211 of the edge frames 121 and the external wall 1221 of the
corner connection portion 122 are continuously connected, and the
internal wall 1212 of the edge frames 121 and the internal wall
1222 of the corner connection portion 122 are continuously
connected.
[0183] Here, inclination surfaces 1212f and 1222f that are inclined
toward the lower accommodation grooves 1213 and 1223 may be formed
at an upper edge of the internal wall 1212 of the edge frames 121
and an upper edge of the internal wall 1222 of the corner
connection portion 122.
[0184] When a lower edge of a box enters the lower accommodation
grooves 1213 and 1223, the lower edge may be in contact with the
inclination surfaces 1212f and 1222f to be smoothly moved in a
direction toward the lower accommodation grooves 1213 and 1223.
[0185] FIG. 10C is a perspective view of the corner connection
portion 122.
[0186] The internal wall 1222 and the external wall 1221 of the
corner connection portion 122 may be each bent in a shape of `` on
a plane view and the lower accommodation groove 1223 between the
internal wall 1222 and the external wall 1221 may also be bent in a
shape of `` on a plane view.
[0187] The protrusion 1225 may be provided on an inner surface of
the internal wall 1222 and may be a portion inserted into a lateral
surface of the edge frame 121.
[0188] The protrusions 1225 may be arranged toward different parts
to be coupled to the edge frames 121 in different directions,
respectively.
[0189] Each of the protrusions 1225 may include a first protrusion
1225a and a second protrusion 1225b, an separation space 1225c
shaped like a slit may be formed between the first and second
protrusions 1225a and 1225b, and a space portion 1225d shaped like
a circle may be formed at a center of the interval portion.
[0190] A height of the first protrusion 1225a may be greater than a
height of the second protrusion 1225b and an upper lateral surface
of the first protrusion 1225a may be inclined to smoothly couple
the first protrusion 1225a and the second protrusion 1225b to each
other because an internal height of a first space portion 1212a on
the internal wall 1212 of the edge frames 121 is higher than a
height of a second space portion 1212b and the upper lateral
surface is inclined.
[0191] The separation space 1225c between the first and second
protrusions 1225a and 1225b may be a portion into which a
separation rib 1212c in the internal wall 1212 of a lateral surface
of the edge frames 121 is inserted and the space portion 1225d
shaped like a circle (or shaped like a C) may be a portion into
which the coupling member 123 (refer to FIG. 12) for coupling the
edge frames 121 and the corner connection portion 122 is
inserted.
[0192] For insertion of the coupling member 123, at different
surfaces of the corner connection portion 122, an external
insertion hole 1221a may be formed in the external wall 1221, an
internal insertion hole 1222a may be formed in the internal wall
1222, and an insertion guidance channel 1223a, a bottom of which is
dug down, may be provided between the external insertion hole 1221a
and the internal insertion hole 1222a.
[0193] The insertion guidance channel 1223a may be formed in such a
way that the bottom wall 1224 of the lower accommodation groove
1223 is slightly dug down.
[0194] In addition, the two insertion guidance channels 1223a may
be arranged to cross each other.
[0195] The internal insertion hole 1222a may be connected to the
aforementioned circular space portion 1225d.
[0196] FIG. 11A is a side view of the corner connection portion 122
and FIG. 11B is a side view of the edge frame 121 coupled
thereto.
[0197] As shown in FIG. 11A, the lower accommodation groove 1223
may be provided between an internal wall and the external wall 1221
of the corner connection portion 122 and the bottom wall 1224 may
be provided below the lower accommodation groove 1223.
[0198] Space portions may be formed in the external wall 1221, the
internal wall 1222, and the bottom wall 1224, respectively, to
enhance strength and reduce weight.
[0199] The aforementioned inclination surface 1222f may be formed
on the upper edge of the internal wall 1222.
[0200] The separation space 1225c may be formed between the first
protrusion 1225a and the second protrusion 1225b and the space
portion 1225d shaped like a circle (or shaped like a C) may be
formed in the separation space 1225c.
[0201] As described above, the internal insertion hole 1222a and
the space portion 1225d shaped like a circle (or shaped like a C)
may be connected and, in this case, an internal diameter of the
internal insertion hole 1222a may be smaller than an internal
diameter of the space portion 1225d shaped like a circle (or shaped
like a C).
[0202] This configuration may be used to catch a head portion 123a
of the coupling member 123 (refer to FIG. 12) that enters the
internal insertion hole 1222a through the external insertion hole
1221a to prevent the coupling member 123 from entering inward any
farther.
[0203] The edge frame 121 may also include the external wall 1211,
the internal wall 1212, the lower accommodation groove 1213, and
the bottom wall 1214 below the lower accommodation groove 1213.
[0204] The upper extension 1215a and the lower extension 1215b may
extend in an inward direction (in a direction toward a honeycomb
member) from upper and lower surfaces of the internal wall
1212.
[0205] The insertion space 1215 may be formed between the upper
extension 1215a and the lower extension 1215b and an edge of the
honeycomb member 111 (refer to FIG. 7) may be inserted into the
insertion space 1215.
[0206] The inclination surface 1212f may also be formed on an upper
edge of the internal wall 1212 of the edge frames 121 to form a
downward inclination surface in a direction toward the lower
accommodation groove 1213.
[0207] A space portion of the internal wall 1212 may be divided
into the first space portion 1212a and the second space portion
1212b, and the first space portion 1212a and the second space
portion 1212b may be separated by the separation rib 1212c.
[0208] A fixation portion 1212d to which a body portion 123b of the
coupling member 123 (refer to FIG. 12) passing through the corner
connection portion 122 is inserted and fixed may have a C-shape in
the separation rib 1212c.
[0209] An internal height of the first space portion 1212a in the
internal wall 1212 of the edge frames 121 may be higher than a
height of the second space portion 1212b.
[0210] The height of the second space portion 1212b is smaller than
the height of the first space portion 1212a because a thickness of
a bottom wall of the second space portion 1212b is greater than a
thickness of a bottom wall of the first space portion 1212a.
[0211] As such, the thickness of the bottom wall of the second
space portion 1212b is thick to arrange the flange portion 152 of
the supporting leg 150 below the second space portion 1212b and to
stably couple a body portion 163b of the coupling member 163 (refer
to FIG. 15) of the supporting leg 150 passing through the flange
portion 152 to the bottom wall of the second space portion 1212b in
the future.
[0212] If the bottom wall of the second space portion 1212b is thin
like the bottom wall of the first space portion 1212a, there is a
problem in that the coupling member 163 is externally separated
and, thus, supporting of the supporting leg 150 is released due to
weak force of the coupling member 163 of the supporting leg 150,
which attracts the body portion 163b.
[0213] As shown in FIG. 12, in a state in which the corner
connection portion 122 is inserted between the edge frames 121
arranged to cross each other, the coupling members 123 may be
inserted.
[0214] The coupling members 123 may also be inserted to cross each
other.
[0215] The coupling member 123 may connect the corner connection
portion 122 and the edge frames 121 through the external insertion
hole 1221a, the insertion guidance channel 1223a, and the internal
insertion hole 1222a of the corner connection portion 122.
[0216] In more detail, as shown in FIG. 13, one coupling member 123
may be moved toward the external insertion hole 1221a, the
insertion guidance channel 1223a, and the internal insertion hole
1222a
[0217] In particular, the body portion 123b (a screw thread is
formed on an outer circumferential surface of the body portion
123b) of the coupling member 123 may pass through the internal
insertion hole 1222a and the circular space portion 1225d shown in
FIGS. 10 and 11 and, then, may be coupled to the fixation portion
1212d on the internal wall 1212 of the edge frame 121 shown in FIG.
12.
[0218] However, a diameter of the head portion 123a of the coupling
member 123 is greater than that of the body portion 123b and, thus,
the head portion 123a may be caught by an edge of the internal
insertion hole 1222a formed in the internal wall 1222 of the corner
connection portion 122, may not enter any farther, and may be fixed
at a current location.
[0219] When one coupling member 123 is completely coupled using the
above method, another coupling member 123 that is inserted to cross
the former coupling member 123 may be coupled in the same way.
[0220] Needless to say, although the two the coupling members 123
are coupled to cross each other, locations at which the coupling
members 123 are completely coupled may be lastly spaced apart from
each other without interfering with each other. This is because the
internal insertion holes 1222a formed in one corner connection
portion 122 are adjacent to each other while being spaced apart
from each other.
[0221] The first boundary regions 121a of the two edge frames 121
may contact each other and the unit supporting leg 151 included in
the supporting leg 150 may be arranged on the pallet body portion
110 to position the cavities 1511.
[0222] A rib 1512 may be formed in each of the cavities 1511 and
portions of the rib 1512 may be provided to cross each other to
enhance strength.
[0223] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the supporting leg 150.
[0224] As described above, the supporting leg 150 may include a
plurality of unit supporting legs 151 and the flange portion 152
that extends in a lateral direction of the supporting leg.
[0225] An uppermost portion of the supporting leg 150 may protrude
slightly upward compared with the flange portion 152 to be inserted
into through holes 110a; 111a, 112a, and 113a of the pallet body
portion 110.
[0226] In addition, coupling holes 152a may be formed in the flange
portion 152 and, thus, the coupling members 163 (refer to FIG. 15)
for coupling the supporting legs 150 and the pallet body portion
110 may be inserted into the coupling holes 152a.
[0227] An upper surface of the flange portion 152 may be provided
with a smooth plane shape and, as shown in FIG. 2, a lower surface
of the flange portion 152 may be divided by the ribs 1521 (refer to
FIG. 2).
[0228] An extension length of the flange portion 152 that extends
from the supporting leg 150 (150a) at a center may be uniform in
all directions.
[0229] An extension length of the flange portion 152 that extends
from the supporting leg 150 (150b) at each corner portion may be
longer than other portions to increase a supporting area.
[0230] The outer frame 120 needs to be coupled to a portion of the
flange portion 152, which extends in a direction toward an edge,
and, thus, a portion that extends in an edge direction needs to be
wider than other portions to smoothen coupling and distribute
load.
[0231] Viewed from above, a plurality of unit supporting legs 151
is separated and, thus, an entrance area of the cavity 1511 may
also be reduced in equal number to the separated number.
[0232] Accordingly, goods except for goods with a smaller size than
an entrance area of the cavity 1511 of the unit supporting leg 151
may be prevented from entering the cavity 1511.
[0233] Here, each of the unit supporting legs 151 may have a
truncated quadrangular pyramid shape and a lateral corner 151a may
be shaped like an inclination surface or a chamfer.
[0234] FIG. 15 is a side view showing a state in which the pallet
body portion 110, the outer frame 120, and the supporting leg 150
are coupled on the pallet 100.
[0235] The case in which the supporting leg 150 (150b/150c)
arranged to be adjacent to an outer side, i.e., an edge side of the
pallet body portion 110 is fixed will be described below.
[0236] A relatively long extension portion of the flange portion
152 of the supporting leg 150 may be closely attached to a lower
surface of the outer frame 120 and a relatively short extension
portion may be closely attached to a lower surface of the pallet
body portion 110.
[0237] The coupling member 163 may be coupled to the fixation
members 170; 170a to 170c that are each installed at the honeycomb
member 111 and the internal wall 1212 of the edge frames 121 of the
outer frame 120.
[0238] The coupling member 163 may be provided in the form of a
screw and may include a head portion 163a and the body portion 163b
with a screw thread formed on an outer circumferential surface
thereof.
[0239] The coupling member 163 that is lastly fixed to the outer
frame 120 may pass through the flange portion 152 of the supporting
leg 150 and, then, may be installed through a bottom wall of the
second space portion 1212b of the internal wall 1212 of the edge
frames 121.
[0240] In addition, the head portion 163a may be caught by and
fixed to a lower surface of the flange portion 152.
[0241] As described above, the bottom wall of the second space
portion 1212b is formed to be thicker than other parts to support
the body portion 163b of the coupling member 163 by a relatively
wide area.
[0242] The coupling member 163 that is lastly fixed to the fixation
members 170 installed on the honeycomb member 111 may be inserted
into the lower surface panel 113 and the fixation members 170
through the flange portion 152.
[0243] The head portion 163a may be caught by and the fixed to a
lower surface of the flange portion 152.
[0244] In the case of the supporting leg 150 (150a) installed at a
center or inside the pallet body portion 110, all of the coupling
members 163 may be lastly coupled and fixed to the fixation members
170 on the honeycomb member 111.
[0245] That is, the coupling member 163 for fixing the supporting
leg 150 (150a) installed at a center or inside the pallet body
portion 110 may be inserted into the lower surface panel 113 and
the fixation members 170 through the flange portion 152.
[0246] The head portion 163a may be caught by and fixed to a lower
surface of the flange portion 152.
[0247] All of the supporting legs 150 may be detachably fixed to
the pallet body portion 110 and the outer frame 120 through the
coupling member 163.
[0248] Accordingly, when some of the supporting legs 150 are
seriously damaged and need to be replaced, the coupling member 163
connected to the damaged supporting legs 150 may be released, the
damaged supporting legs 150 may be separated, and the new
supporting legs 150 may be installed at a corresponding
location.
[0249] The rib 1512 may be arranged at a bottom surface and an
internal wall of the cavities 1511 in the unit supporting leg 151
and the plurality of ribs 1512 may be provided to be arranged in
the form of `#` as viewed from the above, as shown in FIG. 13.
[0250] The rib 1512 may enhance strength of the unit supporting leg
151 and may distribute load.
[0251] The flange portion 152 may be arranged on a lower surface of
the outer frame 120 or may be arranged below a lower panel of the
pallet body portion 110.
[0252] Accordingly, the lower surface of the outer frame 120 and
the flange portion 152 may form a step difference and, also, the
lower surface panel 113 of the pallet body portion 110 and the
flange portion 152 may form a step difference.
[0253] When the pallets 100 that form a step difference are stacked
to form layers, the pallet body portion 110 at an upper level and
the pallet body portion 110 at a lower level may be spaced apart
from each other, a fork of a forklift may enter this space or a
worker may grip the pallets 100 to advantageously lift the pallet
100).
[0254] That is, in the case of a conventional cumulative pallet,
when there is no step difference and pallets form a multilayer
structure, there is no gap between pallet body portions or the
interval is dense and, thus, a fork of a forklift is not capable of
being inserted into the gap or the worker is not capable of
gripping the pallet and the pallet is not capable of being easily
lifted.
[0255] However, according to the present invention, such the gap
may be formed to enhance workability for lifting a pallet.
[0256] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the cover member
300.
[0257] The cover member 300 may include the cover body portion 310,
the supporting leg support 350 arranged on a plurality of
installation portions 311 of a lower surface of the cover body
portion 310, and the outer frame 320 that surrounds an outer edge
of the cover body portion 310.
[0258] Although the case in which the installation portions 311 are
provided in the form of groove is illustrated, any structure may be
used as long as the supporting leg support 350 is fixed and coupled
(e.g., a protrusion, an uneven portion, and a coupling
structure).
[0259] The outer frame 320 may include an edge frame 321 installed
on an edge side of the cover body portion 310 and a corner
connection portion 322 for connecting the edge frames 321 that are
arranged in a perpendicular direction and installed at a corner
portion of the cover body portion 310.
[0260] Here, structures of the edge frame 321 and the corner
connection portion 322 are similar to structures of the edge frames
121 and the corner connection portion 122 of the aforementioned
pallet except that the upper accommodation grooves 3213 and 3223
(refer to FIG. 17) are arranged downward.
[0261] The installation portions 311 formed on an upper surface of
the cover body portion 310 may not completely penetrate in a
vertical direction unlike the through holes 110a; 111a, 112a, and
113a of the pallet body portion 110 and a portion of an upper
surface of the installation portions 311 may be dug down by a
predetermined depth.
[0262] Accordingly, the depth of the installation portions 311 may
be smaller than the thickness of the cover body portion 310.
[0263] When the supporting leg support 350 is arranged on the
installation portion 311, a coupling member 173 may be inserted
from below to fix the supporting leg support 350 to the cover body
portion 310.
[0264] When box assembly structures are stacked as a multilayer
structure, the supporting leg support 350 may support the
supporting leg 150 of the pallet of the box assembly structure at
an upper layer from shaking in right and left directions.
[0265] Accordingly, the supporting leg supports 350 may also be
arranged along inner and outer edges of the cover body portion 310
according to arrangement of the supporting legs 150.
[0266] Like in the case in which one supporting leg 150 is divided
into a plurality of unit supporting legs 151, one supporting leg
support 350 may also be divided into a plurality of unit supporting
portions 351 and each of the unit supporting portions 351 may be
separated from each other by a separator 352.
[0267] Here, as a representative example, the unit supporting
portion 351 may be configured in the form of a groove but any form
(e.g., a protrusion or an uneven portion) other than a groove may
be used as long as coupling with the unit supporting legs 151 or
movement of the unit supporting leg 151 is limited.
[0268] Accordingly, the number of the unit supporting legs 151
included in one supporting leg 150 and the number of the unit
supporting portions 351 included in one supporting leg support 350
may be the same.
[0269] Here, although the case in which the separator 352 is formed
as a cross (+) is illustrated, the present invention is not limited
thereto.
[0270] FIG. 17 is a more detailed exploded perspective view of FIG.
16.
[0271] The cover body portion 310 may be formed of a plurality of
stacked sheets of plywood, wood plates, or plastic plates. However,
the cover body portion 310 may be formed of staves and, also, may
be formed of an upper and lower panel that covers a honeycomb
member and upper and lower portions thereof like a pallet.
[0272] However, FIG. 17 shows the case in which a plurality of
plates is stacked.
[0273] The installation portions 311 may be formed on an upper
surface of the plates and, for example, one installation portion
311 may be installed at a center, four installation portions 311
may be installed at corner portions, and four installation portions
311 may be installed at intermediate portions of an edge.
[0274] This may be variably changed according to the size of a box
assembly structure and the size of a cover member.
[0275] Insertion holes 312 may be formed in edge portions of the
installation portions 311 and may be holes into which the coupling
member 173 (refer to FIG. 16) for fixing the supporting leg support
350 is inserted, which will be described below in detail with
reference to FIGS. 18A and 18B.
[0276] The edge frame 321 may be arranged at an outer edge of the
cover body portion 310 and the corner connection portion 322 may be
formed in a corner space between the edge frame 321 and the edge
frame 321.
[0277] As described above, a structure of the edge frame 321
installed on the cover member 300 is similar to the edge frames 121
of a pallet and the corner connection portion 322 installed on a
cover member is similar to a structure of the corner connection
portion 122 of the pallet.
[0278] That is, the edge frame 321 may include an external wall
3211, an internal wall 3212, the upper accommodation groove 3213
formed between the external wall 3211 and the internal wall 3212,
and an upper wall 3214 formed above the upper accommodation groove
3213.
[0279] The edge frame 321 may include an upper extension 3215a and
a lower extension 3215b that extend inward (in a direction toward a
cover body portion) from upper and lower surfaces of the internal
wall 3212 and an insertion space 3215 into which an edge of the
cover body portion 310 is inserted may be provided between the
upper extension 3215a and the lower extension 3215b.
[0280] A first boundary region 321a that is inclined (tapered) and
a second boundary region 321b connected to the first boundary
region 321a and arranged in a horizontal direction (in a direction
perpendicular to an extension direction of an edge frame) may be
provided at opposite end portions of the edge frame 321.
[0281] The first boundary regions 321a of the edge frame 321 of the
cover member 300, which are adjacent to each other, may contact
each other like a connection structure of the edge frames 121 of
the pallet 100
[0282] In the cover member 300, a space portion may also be formed
in the external wall 3211 and the internal wall 3212 of the edge
frame 321 and the space portion of the internal wall 3212 may
include a first space portion and a second space portion which are
separated by a separation rib.
[0283] A fixation portion into which a coupling member 183 for
coupling the corner connection portion 322 and the edge frame 321
is inserted and fixed may be formed in the separation rib and the
fixation portion may also have a C-shape like the fixation portion
1212d of the edge frame 121 of the pallet 100 but the present
invention is not limited thereto.
[0284] The corner connection portion 322 of the cover member 300
may also include an external wall 3221, an internal wall 3222, a
lower installation portion 3223 between the external wall 3221 and
the internal wall 3222, an upper wall 3224 above the installation
portion 3223, and a protrusion 3225 formed on a lateral surface of
the internal wall 3222 and coupled to a lateral surface of the edge
frame 321.
[0285] An external insertion hole may be formed in the external
wall 3221 and an internal insertion hole may be formed in the
internal wall 3222, the coupling member 183 may be inserted into
the external insertion hole and the internal insertion hole, and
the corner connection portion 322 and the edge frame 321 may be
lastly connected.
[0286] All the detailed configurations and coupling relations are
the same as those of the corner connection portion 122 of the
pallet 100 and the edge frames 121 of the pallet 100 shown in FIGS.
10 to 13 except that the upper accommodation groove 3223 of the
corner connection portion 322 and the upper accommodation groove
3213 of the edge frame 321 are formed downward and, thus, a
repeated description will not be given here.
[0287] FIG. 18A is an exploded side view showing a state in which
the supporting leg support 350 is being installed on the cover body
portion 310. FIG. 18B is a coupling side view showing a state in
which the supporting leg support 350 is completely installed on the
cover body portion 310.
[0288] A boss portion 353 into which a body portion 173b of the
coupling member 173 is inserted and coupled may be formed in a
lower region of the supporting leg support 350 and a coupling hole
354 with a screw thread formed in an internal surface thereof may
be formed in the boss portion 353.
[0289] The boss portion 353 may be arranged around the unit
supporting portions 351 and may extend downward by a predetermined
length.
[0290] In addition, the boss portion 353 may be arranged on the
insertion holes 312 formed on the installation portions 311.
[0291] The insertion hole 312 may extend through a lower surface of
the cover body portion 310 and may be formed as a two-step
structure.
[0292] The insertion hole 312 may include a small diameter portion
312b and a large diameter portion 312a, the large diameter portion
312a may be formed on a lower surface of the cover body portion
310, and the small diameter portion 312b may be disposed on the
large diameter portion 312a and may extend to the installation
portions 311.
[0293] In a state in which the supporting leg support 350 is placed
on the installation portions 311, when the coupling member 173 is
inserted from a lower surface of the cover body portion 310, the
body portion 173b of the coupling member 173 may be inserted into
and fixed to the coupling hole 354 provided in the boss portion 353
through the large diameter portion 312a and the small diameter
portion 312b of the insertion hole 312.
[0294] A head portion 173a of the coupling member 173 may be caught
by an entrance edge of the small diameter portion 312b and may not
enter an entrance any farther.
[0295] As such, the supporting leg support 350 and the cover body
portion 310 may be coupled to each other and, thus, the coupling
member 173 for fixing the supporting leg support 350 may not be
exposed through an upper surface of the cover member 300.
[0296] In addition, the head portion 173a of the coupling member
173 is positioned inward compared with the lower surface of the
cover member 300 and, thus, the coupling member 173 may be
externally exposed to prevent interference with goods in a box.
[0297] As shown in FIG. 18A, an edge of the cover body portion 310
may be inserted into and installed in the insertion space 3215 of
the edge frame 321.
[0298] In this case, the upper extension 3215a may be positioned
above an upper surface of the cover body portion 310 and the lower
extension 3215b may be positioned below a lower surface of the
cover body portion 310 to form a slight step difference
structure.
[0299] FIGS. 19A and 19B are diagrams showing a state in which a
plurality of pallets 100 is stacked.
[0300] FIG. 19A is a diagram showing a state in which the pallets
are stacked and FIG. 19B is a diagram showing a state in which the
pallets are completely stacked.
[0301] The pallet 100 according to the present invention may be one
component of the assembly type of the box assembly 1 with the box
200 and the cover member 300 as described above and may be a part
of a package but may be used as one independent commerce item.
[0302] Only the pallet 100 according to the present invention may
be independently sold, and goods may be accumulated on the pallet
100 and lifted and moved by a fork of a forklift or lifted from the
ground and stored.
[0303] In particular, as such, when an independent pallet is used,
a consumed degree of a storage space may be an important factor
when the pallet is stored at ordinary time.
[0304] In the case of the pallet 100 according to the present
invention, when pallets 100 are stacked, an external surface of the
supporting leg 150 of a pallet 1000 at an upper layer is inserted
into the cavities 1511 in the supporting leg 150 of a pallet 100L
at a lower layer and, thus, a storage height may be saved by as
much as the inserted height.
[0305] When a pallet type is not such a nestable pallet, a stack
height of two layers is an entire height of stacked pallets but,
when a pallet type is a nestable pallet, the supporting leg 150 of
the pallet 1000 at an upper layer and the supporting leg 150 of the
pallet 100L at a lower layer may be inserted to lower an
overlapping height, as described above.
[0306] In particular, in commercial and industrial fields that
require several hundred pallets or several thousand pallets,
reduction in the storage height may largely affect maximization of
space efficiency of a warehouse.
[0307] As shown in FIG. 19A, to stack pallets, when the supporting
leg 150 of the pallet 1000 that needs to be arranged at an upper
layer may be positioned and inserted into the cavity 1511 of the
supporting leg 150 of the pallet 100L at a lower layer, the pallets
100 may be stacked as shown in FIG. 19B.
[0308] FIG. 20A is a side view showing a state in which pallets are
stacked. FIG. 20B is a side view showing a state in which pallets
are completely stacked.
[0309] When pallets 100U/100M/100L are stacked, an external surface
of the supporting leg 150 of the pallet 100U/100M at an upper layer
may be inserted into the cavity 1511 in the supporting leg 150 of
the pallet 100M/100L at a lower layer, as described above.
[0310] An external surface of a bottom surface of the supporting
leg 150 of the pallet 100U/100M at an upper layer may be supported
via contact with an upper end portion of the rib 1512 in the cavity
1511 in a supporting leg of the pallet 100M/100L at a lower
layer.
[0311] A lower end portion of the flange portion 152 of the pallet
100U/100M at an upper layer the supporting leg 150 may be supported
via contact with an upper surface of the pallet 100M/100L at a
lower layer.
[0312] As such, according to the structures of the rib 1512 and the
flange portion 152, a lower surface of the pallet body portion 110
of the pallet 100U/100M at an upper layer and an upper surface of
the pallet body portion 110 of the pallet 100M/100L at a lower
layer may be spaced apart from each other to form a space S.
[0313] As described above, a fork of a forklift may easily enter
the space S or a user may put their fingers into the space S and
the lift pallets.
[0314] Accordingly, in a state in which the plurality of pallets
100 is stacked and stored, a worker may advantageously insert the
fork of the forklift into the space or may put their fingers into
the space and may lift and move necessary pallets.
[0315] When the box assembly 1 for delivery is exploded and stored
or packaged, a box, a cover member, and a pallet may be exploded,
as shown in FIG. 21. In addition, the box may be folded.
[0316] As described, when the telescopic frame 230 provided with a
hinge structure is provided in the box 200 to fold the box, the
telescopic frame 230 may be folded to remarkably reduce a volume.
That is, a three-dimensional (3D) structure may be changed to a
two-dimensional (2D) structure.
[0317] When the plurality of box assemblies 1 is wrapped for
delivery, as shown in FIG. 22, the plurality of pallets 100 is
stacked using the method of FIGS. 19 and 20 and the box 200 may be
folded and stacked thereon using the method of FIG. 21.
[0318] However, the plurality of cover members 300 may be stacked
on the box 200 and, then, may be bonded and wrapped by a string or
a band.
[0319] Accordingly, goods may be moved using the box assemblies 1
for delivery and, then, the box assemblies for delivery may be
disassembled using the method of FIG. 21 and may be packaged and
returned using the method of FIG. 22.
[0320] According to the diverse exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure, a pallet body portion includes a honeycomb
member and, thus, load-bearing may be remarkably increased.
[0321] An upper panel and a lower panel may be arranged on an upper
surface and a lower surface of a honeycomb member to smoothen most
of an external surface, thereby stably supporting goods.
[0322] When a supporting leg is detachably arranged on a pallet
body portion and a supporting leg breaks and does not perform its
function any more, only the corresponding supporting leg may be
replaced and a pallet may be continuously used.
[0323] A supporting leg includes unit supporting legs that are
separated from each other and, thus, supporting force may be
doubled due to load distribution. When some unit supporting legs
break, the remaining unit supporting legs may function as a support
and, thus, even if some supporting legs break, the other supporting
legs may perform a stable supporting function.
[0324] Conventionally, a pallet manufactured via injection molding
and a base board thereon are used. However, according to the
present invention, a base board is omitted and an upper surface of
a pallet functions as the base board and, thus, a structure of an
assembly box structure may be simplified.
[0325] A flange of a supporting leg is supported by a lower surface
of a pallet body portion and, thus, load may be distributed and a
supporting leg flange and a fixation member in the pallet body
portion may be coupled by a coupling member, thereby providing a
stable coupling structure.
[0326] In particular, when the fixation member is a rigid fixation
structure such as a metal insert, the coupling member may be more
stably fixed.
[0327] Edge frames and a corner connection portion for connecting
the edge frames are used at an edge of the pallet body portion,
thereby preventing an edge portion of a pallet from breaking due to
collision, etc.
[0328] An accommodation groove may be formed in an outer edge and a
lower edge of a box may be inserted into the accommodation groove
to allow the box to be more stably positioned on the pallet.
[0329] In addition, the corner connection portion may connect edge
frames that cross each other to achieve entire structural stability
of an outer frame and to enhance impact resistance.
[0330] In the case of a cover member, a supporting leg support may
be arranged on an upper surface of the cover member and, thus, when
box assemblies for delivery are arranged as a multilayer structure,
a more stable state may be maintained.
[0331] In addition, a coupling member for coupling a supporting leg
support of a cover member may not be externally exposed and, thus,
interference between the coupling member and goods in the box may
be completely prevented.
[0332] Edge frames and a corner connection portion for connecting
the edge frames may be used at an edge of a cover body portion and,
thus, a problem in that an outer portion of the cover member breaks
due to collision, etc. may be overcome.
[0333] An accommodation groove may be formed in an outer edge and
an edge of an upper surface of a box may be inserted into the
accommodation groove to stably position the cover member in the
box.
[0334] In addition, a corner connection portion may connect edge
frames that cross each other to achieve entire structural stability
of an outer frame and to enhance impact resistance.
[0335] The foregoing exemplary embodiments and advantages are
merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the
present disclosure. The present teaching can be readily applied to
other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure is intended to be
illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many
alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
[0336] Accordingly, the scope of the present invention may be
determined from the technological spirit defined by the following
claims.
* * * * *